To create a tie-dye shirt, you twist a portion of the fabric and firmly secure it with rubber bands before applying an array of colorful dyes.
In line with the event’s theme and Bill Walton’s unique fashion choice, this is metaphorically what the San Diego State basketball team did to Colorado in the first half on Saturday afternoon at Pechanga Arena.
They twisted the Buffaloes into knots.
The inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic echoed the dominant performances of his Helix High School and UCLA teams, as they led by 17 at halftime, concluding with a 77-66 final score (which was gracious to the losing team) in front of an announced crowd of 3,432 in a venue that seats 14,000.
The Aztecs improved to 2-0 and, barring any major setbacks, are likely to be 5-0 as they prepare to head to Las Vegas for the Players Era 16 during Thanksgiving week, with their first matchup against No. 18 Iowa State.
Colorado presented a tougher challenge than their opening game against Cal State Fullerton, and the Players Era is expected to be an even greater hurdle than Colorado.
However, coach Brian Dutcher was simply looking for progress from a team featuring nine new players and lacking NCAA Tournament experience, and he certainly witnessed that on Saturday.
Boston University transfer Chance Gladden topped the Aztecs with 20 points on just six attempts, largely due to a stellar performance at the free-throw line (10 of 11). Latrell Davis contributed 18 points by sinking 4 of 6 shots from three-point range. While no other player reached double figures, four others contributed eight or nine points.
The more significant stats were the shooting percentages: 48.9% for SDSU compared to 36.8% for Colorado, and that was only after the visitors managed a late-game surge.
The Aztecs recorded 20 turnovers, but that’s manageable when your opponent struggles to score.
Colorado won the tip-off and scored on their initial possession, with former SDSU recruit Josiah Sanders driving for the basket, executing a hard pump fake to draw his defender and an easy score.
This, however, was followed by misses on 14 of their next 15 shot attempts.
Perhaps the dim lighting in the arena, the cold air from the ice beneath the court, the booming public address system, or the occasional odd scents in the 60-year-old venue contributed to the Buffaloes’ poor shooting.
Or it could have been the vibrant tie-dye décor and the numerous attendees, including the entire Colorado coaching staff, decked out in colorful tie-dye shirts.
Or maybe it was simply SDSU executing the defensive game plan as mandated by Dutcher and his staff.
Whatever the reason, the Buffaloes struggled to find their shooting touch. When coach Tad Boyle called a timeout with 5:33 left in the first half, his team was down 27-10 and shooting a dismal 4 of 21 overall (1 of 8 from deep). Additionally, four players had two or more fouls.
Boyle took a gamble and re-inserted several of them, including star guard Barrington Hargress, which seemed to provide a temporary boost.
However, Hargress soon expressed his frustration over a non-call and was tagged with a technical foul, which also counted as a personal foul, bringing his total to three.
Halftime score: 35-17, in favor of the Aztecs.
Colorado shooting: 6 of 30 (1 of 11 from 3).
What’s most impressive is that the Aztecs largely achieved this without the contributions of 6-foot-10 Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry, who spent much of the first half in foul trouble and didn’t attempt a shot until midway through the second half. He exited the game with 6½ minutes left, grimacing and holding his right shoulder.
Hargress returned in the second half and showcased his skills, quickly scoring 11 points to cut the Aztecs’ lead to single digits. However, Cherry’s first basket, followed by two consecutive three-pointers, allowed SDSU to create distance once more.
Hargress led the Buffaloes (1-1) with 33 points, shooting 11 of 20 from the field. The remainder of the team combined for 33 points on 10 of 37 shooting (27.0%).
Notable
Next up: a 2 p.m. tip-off on Wednesday (Veterans Day) at Viejas Arena against Bethune-Cookman… Both teams were dressed in tie-dye shooting shirts… The officiating crew featured Eric Curry, who has collaborated with Walton for many years during games where Walton served as a TV analyst… Walton’s family presented the ball to the officials before the game… Following this contest, the day featured a women’s game between UC San Diego and USD… Colorado will host USD on Tuesday.
